Apparatus for transporting beams



March 4, 1952- F. B. NOERR APPARATUS FOR l 'FRAN-SPORTING BEAMS 4 Sheets-Sheei l Fled June 25, 1948 U mm..

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OA @L @Zw/@mw BY @A A TTOR/VEY March 4, 1952 F. B. NoERR APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING BEAMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1948 2W Y n\ t 0a \\v5 |2 5M\ f e 6 a g 9% W f2 w d 7 d 3 QM w e) @f 5 5 a |l 2. 4 Q E ...F 4 w y l 2V a y@ M #l v5 E a f1 Q m mv 9 E 1 Lg Vw l J a 6 m f g p/ i k I7 3 a J/ l g. L. l@ f 5 w lwam. M W/ J/ c/ Q9/ ma wa @WM d 7 INV EN TOR.

March 4, 1952 F. B. NOERR 2,588,278

APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING BEAMS Filed June 25, 1948 `4 sheets-sheet 4 NVENTOR. @Yew 69. Qopwv) Patented Mar. 4, 1952 UNITED `STATES OIFICEV 2,588,218 APPARATUS FOR TRANSPGRTING BEAMS rzFlQvdl vB Noerr Lewiston ...11a- Application J une 23, 1948,--Serial No. `34,656

i3 `,Qlfiinsf My invention relates broadly Atoa .structural arrangement for shipment of vheavy beams of cordage, rope, yarn, thread, textile members, or wire, and more particularly to a cradle structure for facilitating loading, transporting, and unloading such heavy beams.

One of the objects of my invention is `to provide a readilyportable cradle assembly for loading, transporting, and unloading heavy `beams in trucks.

Still another object of mylinvention is to provide a construction of cradle and chock assembly for facilitating the loading, transporting, land unloading of heavy beams wherein multiple `rows of beams may be mutually supported with respect to each other Without the necessity of laying a track over one row of beams to support another row of beams.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structural arrangement ol' individual cradle for supporting heavy beams intermediate the beams of a lower row or beams within a vehicle.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a structural arrangement of individual cradle which may be supported by a pair `of adjacent beams in a vehicle for supporting the beams intermediate the adjacent beams in an upper row without the necessity of laying a track over the beams of the lower row.

Stillanother object of my invention is'to provide a metallic `cradle construction attachable to heavy beams when loaded in a truck for giving individual support to beams above the lower row of beamsland recessed to maintain the upper beams in a position of equilibrium with respect to the lower beams during transportation.

Other and further objects or" my invention reside in an improved cradle construction for supporting and choclring heavy beams with respect `to a lower row of beams and insuring stability of the assembled beams during transporta- 'tion asset `forth more fully inthe specication hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view showing an assembly of beams prepared for transportation in a truck employing the individual cradle assemblies of my invention, the View illustrating the truck schematically in longtiudinal section; Fig. 2 is a top plan View showing the individual cradle assemblies in position on the lower row of beams prepared to receive and support an upper row of beams, the view showing the truck in which the beams are assembled schematically inherizontal section; ""Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View 2 .taken .substantially on line .3*,3 `of Fig. 1 and `schematically illustrating .a `fragmentary portion `or" .thestruck in verticalsectiom lltig. ,4 ,is `a schematic ,view illustrating .,the manner `,of loading heavy beams on the individual cradles carried by the `lower row .of beams in `atruclr; Fig. 51s an L.elevationalview lookinginthe direction of the `view .taken .substantially on line 14Si-S of Flg. A8;

Fig. 10 is angelevational view looking at `the Ainside of thecraale rorthe oppositeend of ,the row of `beams as compared to the cradle `illustrate,d in :Fig `5, `the view. illustrating the tie `rod in transverse section; ,Eig. `,11 isan endelevatiopal view .0f `one or the shocks `employed in ,asscation .with the cradle assemblyijig. l2 is aside elevationalviewoilthe choclishogwn in -Fig 11; Fig. 13

isa `verticalsectional view taken substantially on view of one .ofthe intermediate. cradle assemblies; Fig. 15 isan` end `elevational view of the interme- `diate .cradleiassembly shown in -Fig. 14; .Fig. 15

isa `view similar .to Fig. 15 butshowingutne tie ,rod brokenaway at each end .andshown insec- 4tion, illustrating the` intermediate `.cradleassemblies in transverse ,vertical section `taken substantiallyonlineiiiffti of1Fig. l17; Fig. 17 is a Alongitudinal sectional .view `through one of ,the intermediate .cradle .-assemblies, the ,view being taken substantially .on line tif il ,of Fig. 16; and

Fig. lisa fragmentary transverse sectionalview takenonline.Iittotligolfi.

My invention isidirected to `an improved apparatus for l loading, Atransiznorting and. unloading heavy `beams of cordage, ..rope,.wire, `thread or yarn,.and the like. These beamslweigh approximately 1100 poundseach and musttbeprevented Yfrom Ashifting during transportation, .as .a shift `in position may.result invery substantial injury to the material carriedlby i the beams. Y.Moreover itis desirable u.that the apparatus .for loading, transporting and unloading the beams be adapted to readilywaccommodate less than `full capacity truckload shipments and yet provide `allof `the safetyffactors available `for -full capacity Ltruck- 3 load shipments and Without requiring that all of the shipping space be utilized for the beams. I eliminate the frame or track conventionally employed for loading, transporting and unloading an upper row of beams with res'pect to a lower row of beams so that shipping space is not taken up in the vehicle by such a frame or track which is wholly unnecessary in less than full capacity truckload shipments. In lieu thereof I have developed sheet metal cradles of three different constructions, one construction of which is employed in association with the beam at one end of a stowed row of beams and the other of which is employed in association with the beam at the opposite end of the stowed row of beams, and others of which I employ intermediate adjacent beams, and all of which include recessed cradles for supporting the beams of an upper row of beams. The cradles when placed in position intermediate the beams of a lower horizontal row in a vehicle serve as supports for the second row Yof beams having their spindles extending in a position intermediate the lower row of the beams and not in vertical alignment with the spindles of the lower row of beams.

One of the principal features of my invention is the provision of end cradles formed from sheet metal shaped to engage the flanges of the end beams of the lower row of beams and including at one end of the row a xed chock immediately related to the cradle and at the other end an adjustable chock immediately related to the opposite end cradle. By providing these cradle units at opposite ends of the lower row of beams rapid loading and unloading of the upper row of beams is facilitated, while stability of the upper row of beams during transportation is assured.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character I designates a conventional trailer body supported by wheels 2 and housing the load of heavy beams to be transported. The floor of the trailer I is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 terminating in end frames 5 and 6 adjacent the front of the I trailer body. The end frames 5 and 6 are securely braced with respect to the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 by diagonally extending members 'I and 8. The end frames 5 and 6 are interconnected by a transverse rod 9 which has downwardly extending ends which enter sockets 5a and 6a carried by the end frames 5 and 6. The end frames 5 and 6 have inwardly directed plate portions extending toward each other and which serve as abutments for the ange of the flanged beam indicated at I0. The flanged beam I@ is provided with horizontally extending spindles Ia and Illb on which the beam is originally journaled when being wound with cordage, rope, yarn, thread, wire, or the like, and which facilitates the loading and unloading of the beams.

The opposite flanges of the beam I0 represented at Illc and IDd t Within the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 and roll on the lower faces thereof. In loading the heavy beams on the trailer the level of the loading platform and the level of the oor of the trailer on which the beams are loaded are not equal, the floor Ia of the trailer I being approximately one foot above the level of the loading platform. The longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 are secured to the floor of the trailer I at distances spaced from each other, according to the Width of the beams being hauled. The beams are brought to the rear end of the trailer through the open door Ib on a lift truck especially del "forward into the front of the trailer.

rversely extending tie rod Illa.

4 signed to lift the beams from the loading platform door and carry them to the trailer. The lift truck deposits the loaded beams on the rear ends of the bottom of the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 and the beam is then rolled Beam I0 is rolled to a position in which the flanges Ic and Id abut against the end frames 5 and 6, and then a second beam is lifted by the lift truck g and rolled into position along the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 to a position immediately adjacent the position of beam I0 as shown at II.

The front cradledevices shown at I2 and I4 are positioned with respect to the tops of the flanges of beams I0 and II and maintained in position by transversely extending tie rod I2ah. The construction of the front cradle devices is illustrated more clearly in Figs. 5, 6 and '7. Another beam I5 is then loaded onto the bottom of the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 and is rolled against the two previously loaded beams I and Il. The intermediate cradle devices IB and I'I are then placed in position between the tops of the flanges of the second and third beams I I and I5 and maintained in position by a transversely extending tie rod Ilia. The structure of the intermediate cradle devices is shown more clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. This manner of assembly is continued as each additional beam is loaded onto the bottom longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4, that is, beam I8 is rolled into position adjacent beam I5 and then vthe intermediate cradle devices I9 and 2li mounted in position over the tops of the flanges of beams I5 and I8 and maintained in position by trans- Similarly, beam 2l is rolled into position adjacent beam I8 and intermediate cradle devices 22 and 23 mounted in position on the flanges of beams I8 and 2I and maintained in position by transversely extending tie rod 22a. Thus the beams are successively rolled into position and the cradle devices placed on the flanges of adjacent beams, that is, between the last beam loaded and the beam ahead of it on the bottom row until the determined number of beams are loaded on the bottom of the trailer or the bottom carrier capacity of the trailer has been reached.V

When the last beam on the bottom of the trailer is put in place, as represented at 24, the bottom chocks 25 and 26 are then attached to the bottom of the steel angles 3 and 4 as represented in Figs. l and 4 and all of the slack in the bottom row of beams then taken up by the winged nut adjustment. The winged nut adjustment includes a sleeve device 25a and 26a. secured to the sides of the chocks 25 and 26 in an angularly inclined direction extending downwardly in the direction of the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 Vand 4 for receiving the ends of the rods 2'I and 28. The rods 21 and 28 are pivotally mounted in the vertically extending anges of the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4 and are screw-threaded on the ends that pass through the sleeves 25a and 26a on checks 25 and 26 as represented at 21a and 28a. The screw-threaded ends 21a and 28a are engaged by the winged nuts 29 and 30 having lever arms 29a and 30a radially extending therefrom and which may be readily gripped andrevolved for tightening the checks 25 and 26 for securing the lower row of beams in position. The chocks 25 and 26 are provided with guide plates at the base thereof which -t over the vertical A'ilange of each of the longitudinally 'extending steel angles 3 and 4 as represented generally at `25h in Figs. 11-13. The chocks 25 and 26 are each provided with a frame structure represented in Figs. ll, l2 and 13 at 25o, the front face `of which is curved as represented at 25d conforming with the radius of curvature of 'the flanges of the beams, such as the `flanges of beam `24 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. The rear face of `the frame structure of each of the chocks, represented at 25o in Figs. l1, 12 and 13, is provided with an upwardly inclined sleeve member 25e and 25e which receives the downwardly directed ends `of the tie `rod 3| thereby rigidly securing the checks 25 land 25 together. chock 25 and 25 is of a width sufficient to 'embrace the periphery of the flange of the last beam of the row of beams as represented at 24 and of a width to be guided by the longitudinally extending steel angles 3 and 4. l lThe rear end cradle devices 32 and 33 are now placed in position between the top of the flanges of the last beam 2d on the bottom row and the top of the flanges of the beam immediately preceding the beam 25 as represented at 2|. The rear end cradle devices are maintained together as a unit by transversely extending tie rod 32a. These rear end cradle devices 32 and 33 are of very special construction as illustrated more clearly in Fig. l0.

Each of the cradle devices, that is, the front cradle devices represented at E2 and I4, shown in Figs. 5 7; the intermediate cradle devices represented at I5 and il and shown in Figs. 8 9; and the rear end cradle devices 32 and 33 illustrated in Fig. l0, have recessed portions which I have illustrated at |41), l'lb and 33D. These recesses serve to provide stabilizing points which receive the opposite flanges of the loaded beams. The cradle devices are formed from plate material consisting of dat plates with strips mounted on edge and projecting therefrom. These strips are shaped to provide the pocket-like recesses Mb, lib and 33t) as illustrated and are provided with coacting strips adjacent the underside thereof which are shaped to iit between the beams of the lower roll and curved to conform to the contour of the flanges of the lower beam in `the forms of the cradle devices shown in Figs. 5 10, the projecting strips coacting with the vertical plate structure of each cradle device. In the front cradle device shown in Figs. 5 7, top strip 34 projects inwardly from vertical plate 35 of the front cradle device, while bottom strip 36 extends inwardly from vertical plate 35 and is curved to coliform with the contour of the flanges of the beams lil and ii and flattened at 3513 intermediate beams IQ and ll. The two strips 34 and 35 are spaced on opposite sides of the tie rod ita by means of vertically disposed strips 37 and 38 for reinforcing the upper strip 34. The plate 35 has a vertically extending portion 38 at the end thereof from which projects the strip member 39 which is curved to conform with the flange of the top beam 44 which seats in the recesses |312 and ifib in the front cradle devices l2 The strip 35 connects with a coacting strip 4i! at the :front of the front cradle device, which strip carries the angularly disposed socket mmeber 4| mounted on the angularly inclined portion 45d of strip 45. The socket member 4l coacts with an aligned socket member 42 on 'the iront cradle device l2 for receiving' the ends lof the tie rod 43 for holding the front cradle devices together. In all instances,

the longitudinally V'extending strip members are Welded to the vertical plate members forming the cradle devices. Thus it will be seen that lthe abutment stop provided by the curved face `of the strip 39 is solidly connected with 'the front cradle device. A symmetrical and similar Jarrangement is provided for the frontcradle device I2. The structure of the intermediate cradle devices and the rear end cradle devices are substantially similar, that is, the intermediate cradle devices are formed by laterally extending strip `members 45 and 45 projecting from the plate 41 with coacting strip member i5 eX- tending below strip member 45 and solidly spaced therefrom by vertically disposed strips `43 and 49. `Strip45 `is recessed at Ilb to provide a 'point .for the `flange of the'beam '55, while strip 4l is provided with oppositely curved faces: at 46a connected by an intermediate flat face `ibextendible between beams ii and i5. The coacting intermediate cradle devices are of similar-and symmetrical construction as represented inlFigs. 8 and 9.

Similarly, the rear end cradle devices are formed by a vertical plate 5| with an upper strip 52 projecting therefrom and a lower strip 53 coacting therewith. The lower strip 53 is spaced from strip 52 by reinforcing vertically extending members 54, 55 and 56. The lower face of the strip 53 is provided witha curved contour 53a conforming with the contour or" beam 2d and also a similar but forwardly disposed contour Lieb conforming to the contour of beam 2|, the curved contours being interconnected by the fiat intermediate portion 53b extending between the beams 2| and 24. The oppositerear end cradle device 52 is constructed in a similar and symmetrical manner.

When the beam 4d is loaded in position in the recesses in the front cradle devices l2 and i4 the spindles 44h thereof are connected through anchor bars represented by anchor bar 54 with the spindles of beam l in the lower row of beams as represented at lib. Beam 44 is thus maintained in a more stable state against displacement during transportation. While I have illustrated but one link 64, it will be understood that a complementary link is employed on the oppositeend of beam e4 connected at the opposite end of the spindle of beam il.

The rear end cradle devices 32 and are each provided with a flat plane portion formed by the` rear end of strip 52 for supporting chocks which are similar to chocks 25 and 25 clearly shown in Figs. 11-13. The chocks which slide upon the iiat strips 52 are represented by chock 5l in Fig. 1. Chock 5l .has an angularly dispo-sed tubular sleeve Ela attached to the external side wall thereof for receiving the end of rod 53 pivot ally mounted in the vertical plate of Athe rear end cradle device The end of rod 58 is screwthreaded as represented at 53a and passes through the sleeve lila and is engaged by the winged nut adjustment member 55 adjustable by turning lever arm 58E; for advancing the chock toward .the left for chocking the flanges of the beams. The chock 5l" and its 'complementary chock operative on rear end cradle device 33 are bound together as a unit by tie rod 50 which enters `inclined sleeve members on the comple- `mentary chocks such as represented by inclined sleeve member 51e on chock 5l.

` in Fig. 4,"`whereby beam 5| is seated in the recesses in intermediate cradle devices I9 and 20. Similarly, beam 62 is seated in position in the intermediate cradle devices 22 and 23 by means of crane 34 in Fig. 4. Finally, beam 63 is seated in the recessed portions of the rear end cradle devices 32 and 33.

When the beams in the upper row of beams are seated in position in each of the cradle devices, anchor bars, represented by anchor bar 55, are connected between the ends of spindle 63h of beam 63 and the ends of spindles 2lb of beam 21. A complementary anchor bar is provided at the opposite end of the beams. It will be observed that anchor bars 64 and 65 are inclined toward each other from the upper row of beams to the lower row of beams and serve to stabilize the upper row of beams with respect to the lower roW of beams.

The chocks which act upon the upper row of beams as represented by chock 5l are now drawn tight by adjustment of the winged nuts 59. Rods 58 by virtue of their pivotal connection 59 with the rear end cradle devices are free to change in angular disposition as the chocks are drawn tight to retain the beams in position.

I wish to particularly emphasize the outstanding advantage of the apparatus of my invention over equipment of the track type i heretofore utilized. By reason of the separate cradle device construction utilized in the system of my invention it is practical to handle fewer than a truckload of beams together with other miscellaneous freight. There is no necessity for taking up shipping space by horizontally projecting tracks which would not be required in less than capacity shipments and the added available shipping space may then be used for shipment of other miscellaneous freight. The system of` my invention is adaptable for shipments of even as few as three beams which would not be practical in utilizing the track arrangements heretofore proposed.

I have found from actual experience in transportation of heavy beams that the cradle devices as set forth herein operate very satisfactorily and thoroughly protect the beams against displacement with incident damage to the load carried by the beams.

I realize that modifications may be made in the structure of the cradle devices and in other features of the mounting means and coacting chocks, and while I have described .my invention in one of its preferred embodiments I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed 1 by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. Cradle devices for supporting an upper flanged beam above and between a pair of similar flanged lower beams comprising vertically disposed plate members having their major axes eX- tending in a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially horizontally extending strip projecting inwardly from each of said plate members and having a downwardly curved seat therein for receiving the flanges of the upper flanged beam, a second strip disposed below each of the aforesaid strips and projecting inwardly from each of said plate members and extending below the peripheral edges of each of said plate members and shaped to provide both a supporting and spacing means with respect to the flanges of adjacent flanged lower beams below the aforesaid upper beam, vertically extending spacer members disposed between said strips and connected with the respective vertically disposed plate members and means interconnecting said plate members in positions disposed intermediate said strips and theY spacer members between the strips.

2. lCradle devices for supporting an upper flanged beam above and between a pair of similar` flanged lower beams, comprising vertically disposed plate members having one portion extending on a substantially horizontal axis and another portion extending on an axis substantially normal thereto, said last mentioned portion being aligned when in assembled position with the central axis of one of said pair of anged beams, a curved abutment extending between both of the portions of said plate members and providing an abutment for the flanges of the upper flanged beam, a substantially horizontally extending strip projecting from each of said plate members and having a downwardly curved seat therein for receiving the flanges of the upper flanged beam, a second strip disposed below each of the aforesaid strips and projecting below the peripheral edges of each of said plate members and shaped to provide both a supporting and spacing means with respect to the flanges of adjacent flanged lower beams below the aforesaid upper beam, vertically extending spacer members disposed between said strips and connected with the respective vertically disposed plate member and means interconnecting said plate members in positions disposed intermediate said strips and the spacer members between said strips.

3. Cradle devices for supporting an upper hanged beam above and between a pair of similar anged lower beams comprising vertically disposed plate members having their major axes extending in a substantially horizontal direction, a substantially horizontally extending strip projecting inwardly from each of said plate members and having a downwardly curved seat therein and a substantially horizontally extending plane surface adjacent the end thereof contiguous with said downwardly curved seat, a second strip disposed beneath each of the aforesaid strips and projecting inwardly from each of said plate members and extending below the peripheral edges of each of said plate members and shaped to provide both a supporting and spacing means with respect to the flanges of adjacent lower beams below the aforesaid upper beam, vertically extending spacer members disposed between said strips and connected with the respective vertically disposed plate members, means interconnecting said plate members in positions disposed intermediate said strips and the spacer members between the strips and adjustable chocks slidable on the horizontally extending plane surfaces adjacent the ends of said rst mentioned strips, said adjustable chocks each having curved abutment faces thereon for engaging the flanges of the upper beam when seated in the downwardly curved seats of said first mentioned strips.

FLOYD B. NOERR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 458,515 Boyle Aug. 25, 1891 1,631,304 Willoughby June 7, 1927 2,334,336 Lathrop Nov. 16, 1943 2,335,518 Koonce Nov. 30, 1943 

